flying with a canoe!?

[Rudder Bug]

Hello Blakey;

This mostly applies in extreme cases but it is a good rule of thumb to me, and here is why.

Once upon a time, I had a 300+ lbs double bottom fiberglass boat to fly with a Beaver. We needed to be four guys to tie the boat the evening before the flight.

The boat looked so big once tied that we were wondering if the plane was carryig it or it was carrying the plane. Doing it in turbulence was definitely ruled out. Of course, we tied the boat on the left side with straps and ropes.

When I flew it the next morning in still air, along with its owner, I needed lot of aileron to keep the aircraft level, as well as climb flaps, or we plummeted. Attempting a left turn would have been suicide. The trip was only 50 miles but seemed to last a life.

Guess what my brilliant passenger, who supposedly knew exactly where we were going did? He found out on final that we were in the wrong pass of the Y shaped lake!!! I had to go around a hill, all turns to the right.

Never anymore! I thought.

I think the rules have changed since and there are certainly some limitations regarding external loads/aircraft type by now.

RB

[Durango skywagon]

That's pretty neat Brad, I like that thing!

A bit pricey but who wants to fly a 185 over 900 miles with a canoe strapped outside? How big is the bundle once rolled?

Gille

When rolled up its like a good size tent. I can easily carry it over one shoulder, and I have a yolk that I can use to portage it solo. Should be a good boat for airplane camping. I'll be putting it to the test next week in Ungava, I'll give a full report.

-Brad

[Nahanni]

North Country Canoe Bag

I haul canoes every second day, several trips a day through the mountains. My advice is to buy a Canoe Bag from North Country. Contact me for any tips on hauling if you'd like.

Dave

[sueonkent]

Flying with a canoe or boat externally is extremelly tough on the stabilator screw jacks on 180/185. Dependind on the width of the canoe,there is a possibbility in an emergency that it may impede opening exit doors.Hence i would tend to load on the right side .Another problem if using external loads is the tendency of increased yaw and balance and the related fuel issues and increased fuel burn . Dont fly in turbulence if possible ,your external load is bad enough!

[bcflyer]

I've flown a ton of external loads on a 180. 16' lumber, canoes, small boat. (I'll try to find the pics of that one!!) Personally I prefered using ropes for the canoes. Lots and lots of ropes!! Be sure to have a safety rope on the front and back for extra piece of mind.

A few pointers that I can remember. (its been a LONG time since I did any float flying)

Use lots of ropes. When you think your load is tight give it a hard shake. Don't be gentle. If it moves even a little bit, start again and get it tighter.

Pick a time with little wind and a long lake.

Your tail will likely take a bit of a beating. Don't be surprised to feel some vibration in the yoke while you are flying.

I was never told anything about turning into your load but I did discover first hand that you never want to do any kind of slip or other uncoordinated turn of any kind. The airflow will start a nasty vibration that will get your attention in a real hurry!!

Flying it on the right side will be easier on your leg (less rudder required) but I always liked it on the left to keep an eye on things. Although in hindsight if your load starts to depart the fix, there likely won't be enough time for you to do anything about it anyway!

Lots of good advice on here already but the best ones are to find an experienced float pilot who has done externals before and listen. Its not a huge deal to do externals on a 180 if you use some common sense.

[ruddersup?]

I flew 2 12ft aluminum boats at the same time on a Beaver, never again. Reason (there really in no good one)? No fuel and it was getting dark, way the hell in the bush and................... My thinking? One boat flew just beautifully, how bad can two be? Well it was terrible, like in very.
Yes you can learn some things here on Avcanada. Trust me on this one.
Ruddersup?

[oldtimer]

I knew a dumb sucker of a pilot who would not listen and learn.
He lost a canoe off the right side of a Beaver and lived to tell about it.
Just landed, picked up the canoe and carried on.
Must have lived a charmed life.

[Rowdy]

oldtimer.. as i mentioned.. Ive seen pics of the carnage that a 14ft aluminum boat did to a beav when it came off in flight.. The driver got lucky and it happened turning final.. struck the flap and then the horizontal stab and looked like the bow had made contact with the fuse. too.. big honkin dent. I've also seen in person the damage done to a twin otter that had a cowl come off in flight and strike the tail. Not my cup of tea! haha

This says it best ; Love many, trust few and Always tie on your own canoe.

[Siddley Hawker]

Must have lived a charmed life.

I hope he took the golden horse shoe out of his ass and had it bronzed for the mantlepiece.